Apparatus for vaporizing liquids.



4r'mx-z94,396. Patented Mar. '4, |902; l

w. G. LYLE & J. E.. STEWART.

APPARATUS FUR VAPORIZING LlUlDS.

' (Application filed Feb. 16, 1901.) (No Model.) N N v 3 Shady-Sheet `I.

No. 694,396. Patented Mar. 4, |902.

w. 9. LYLE & .1. E. STEWART.

APPARATUS FOR VAPORIZING LIUlDS.

(Applicatonled Feb. 16, 1901.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

TH: Nonms paens co., PNoYoLlTMo., WASHINGTON. n. c.

Nm-694,396. Patentedvmar. 4, |902.

w.G..LYL'E s. J. E. STEWART. mbmumus` ron vAPomzmG Lluulns.

(Appuationlmed Feb. 1a, 1901.) um Model.) 3 sheets-she'et 3.

u s J6 a E 5 WITNESSES: M Z l VENTORS Y WIW TN: Nonms pm ns co., PHoTaLn'Ho., wAsHlNnTou. n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT vOFFICE.

WILLIAM GORDON LYLE AND JOHN EDWIN STEWART, OF NEV YORK, N. cY.

APPARATUS FOR VAPORIZING LIQUIDS.

sPEcIFrca-.riorv formagpaa of Letters Patent No. 694,396, dated March 4, 1902.

Application filed February 16, 1901. Serial No. 47,578. (No model.)

To all whom, it may crm-cern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM GORDON LYLE and JOHN EDWIN STEWART, subjects of the King of Great Britain, and residents of the city of New York and State of New York, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Apparatus for VaporizingLiquids,of which substantially at any rdesired degree of humidity.

Heretofore various devices have been employed for vaporizing liquids withY a view to automatically regulating the humidity of air; but most of them have been in practice found to be unsatisfactory, for the reason that they fail to properly regulate the supply ofl the liquid to the vaporizer. Others are unsatisfactory for the reason that theyemploysteam, which is usually taken from radiators, which is accompanied usuallyV by objectionable odors. We have discovered that where a vaporizer is employed in which a wick is used one end of which rests in the liquid to be vaporized and the other end of which comes in contact with the surface upon which the vaporization is to take place and agencies are provided Which from time to time separate the wick, and consequently automatically stop the iiow of liquid through it, that it is possible to maintain substantially any desired degree of humidity in any chamber in or in connection with which the device is placed. The gist of the invention lies, therefore, first, in employing what We have termed hereafter a divided Wick, which acts to a certain err tent as a controllable Siphon, and, second, in employing any convenient means for actuating and controlling wick either automatically through a hygrometer or intermittently byhandorbyanydesiredmechanism. lHence lthe apparatus for actuating the wick permits of 'a'large variety of constructions, and we therefore do not confine ourselves to the precise construction shown in the specification norf necessarily to a vaporizing apparatus.

Our invention as applied to a vaporizing apparatus will he best understood by reference to the accompanying three sheets of drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a plan View of the apparatus on the lines l l of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal elevation of the apparatus ou the lines 2 2 of Fig: l. Fig. 3 is a cross-section of the apparatus on the lines 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is also a cross-section on the lines 4 4 of Fig. l, and Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail View of Fig. 3.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

In the drawings, a represents a receptacle for holding the liquid and the operating mechanism, which can be of any convenient shape and size. In the drawings Wehave shown a box holding the operating mechanism and two water-tanks w and w',- but the number of these tanks can be decreased and increased as may be desired. Inthe receptacle shown three compartments are provided, formed by the partitions 6, two of which compartments, w and w', forming the tanks for the liquid and the third holding the operating mechanism. As shown in Fig. 4, an opening in the bottom of the receptacle is left opposite the liquid-tanks, and the side of the tank is built up a sufficient distance to contain the liquid, thus leaving channels 2l and 22 for the out- How of the liquid by means of the Wick. The receptacle a is provided witha cover b, hinged at the point l. On the side of the receptacle containing the channels 2l and 22 an ordinary vaporizing-plate 2 is attached, the inner part of which is provided with some hydroscopic material 4 for holding the fluid. 'lhe plate 2 may be of any desired shape and may be retained at any desired temperature in any convenient manner, which is not shown, as its form is immaterial to the invention. Each water-compartment contains a rocking-shaft 7, supported by the journals 8, attached at either end to the sides of the tank at a convenient level, in which journals the ends of the shaft rock. These shafts 7 carry any de- IOO at the outer extremity, as shown, and each are provided at the end with a supportingguide for holding the wicks in place when the arms are withdrawn. Near the lower end of .the wick-armsa circular opening 16 is provided, through which the ends of the wicks are let down into theV liquid. Any convenient form of device may be resorted to for .keepingthe level of the liquid up to and within certain limits. No device, however, is shown in the present case, as this is no material part of the present invention. In the construction shown semicircular floats 13 are provided, rotating about the shafts and resting on the surface of the liquid; but any other method of accomplishing this resultcan be employed. These fioats are slotted in the center, as shown at 24, adapted to fit over the shaft 7 and allow the float to sinkas the volume of liquid is diminished a certain distance on the shaft and then rotate on the shaft, thus by deplacement assisting in retaining the level of' the liquid as high as possible in the tank. The shafts 7also carry counterweightarms 10, set thereon at any angle desired by the screws 17. These connterWeight-arms terminate in the weighed heads 12, which are grooved, as shown, so as to contain and be operated by the cross-arm 14. Nhen a reciprocating motion is imparted to the crossarm 14 in the manner hereinafter described, it will carry the counterweightarms 10 in the same distance, and thereby rock the shaft 7, thus carrying the wick-arms 9 a sufficient distance to raise or lower the free ends of the wicks. Vhen the counterweight-arms are in the position shown in the dotted lines in Fig. 4, the weighted head will serve to rock the shaft 7 beyond the point of dead-weight hereinafter referred.

Cotton, silk, sponge, or any other known material capable of acting as a siphon may be used for the wicks. These wicks can be used singly or in two parts, one fixed and the other movable, and the fixed part may be composed partly of a sponge 19, as shown in Fig. 4. In the drawings the fixed part 4 of the wick or sponge 19 is connected with the vaporizingplate 2 and is placed in the channel 22, beginning, preferably, at any convenient distance below the water-level and reaching below the bottom of the tank. The movable part of the wick 18 rests on the arm 9, one end reaching down into the liquid through the opening 16 and the other end being placed on the arm 9 as to just meet the sponge 19 when the arm is in the position shown in Fig. 4, thus forming a continuous wick and allowing the liquid to flow from the tank to the vaporizing-plate 2. Whenever the end of the wick is withdrawn from the sponge or fixed portion of the wick and its ends brought above the level of the liquid in the position indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 4, the flow of the liquid through the wick will instantly cease. As before stated, the wicks can be operated in various In the drawings they are shown opways.

operating the wicks. core move freely in and out of the fixed coil,

erated byelectricity, which is brought into action by means of a hygrometer suitably fitted and supplied with the necessary wires, contacts, ttc., and provided with an automatic circuit-breaking device, so that the current will be employed only when it is necessary to regulate the feed of the liquid to the plate and then only for such period as it takes to move arm 14 by the movement of the armature 27 of the hollow cylindrical coil 26 to travel over its path.

In the drawings, 2G represents a fixed and hollow cylindrical coil supported on the base 30, fastened to the bottom of the receptacle a, within the center of which moves the core 27, wound as shown by 25. The core 27 is made in the form of a screw, rextending beyond the fixed coil and supporting the arms 15, which in turn support the cross-bar 14, This movable coil and according as the current is applied to the latter, and thus move the arm 14 a like distance and rock the shaft 7 a sufficient distance to carry the movable part of the wick into and out of contact with the sponge and above and below the level of the liquid.

In the present application a hygrometer is employed as a convenient method of controlling the electric current. The hygrometer is indicated by the dotted lines 23, provided with the contact-points 31 and 32, and the arm 44 is connected in circuit with either pole of a battery 33. These points 31 and 32 represent the extremes of humidity desired. For making and breaking the circuit and reversing the'same we have provided the arrangement shown in Fig.5. In the drawingsa rocking arm 34 is shown supported on an axle 43, supported and rocking freely in the brackets 45, attached to the top of the receptacle. The arm 34 is rocked vby the engagement of itsA lower end with the pins 28, attached in the proper position to the cross-bar 14 by the screws 29. This arm is made of any conducting metal and is in circuit with the movable coil and battery 33, as will be seen. The arm 34 is provided at its upper extremity with two pins 35, one at eitherside, the upper half of each of which, 36, is composed of a non-conducting material, indicated in black.

Vithin the brackets are attached the plates l47, also screwed to the top of the receptacle a. These plates are provided with binding-posts 37 49 40 51, to which are attached the curved springs 3S 53 41 52. The rocking arm 34 is so arranged as not to be actuated by the cross-bar 14 until the core 27, carrying with it the arms 15 and the crossbar 14, has moved nearly its full distance in or out of the fixed coil.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: r1`he tanks are filled with liquid, the wicks inserted and placed in contact with the fixed wick, preferably as shown in Fig. 4, thus giving a continuous supply of the liquid to the vaporiZing-platc. In this position the IOO IIO

core 27 a'ndarmature are drawn' out their full distance from the Iixedcoil 26, and the left-hand pin of lthe rocking arm 34 resting within the springs 38 53.

posts 40 and 51, and springs 4l and 52, thet lixe'd coil 26, thebindingpost 49, spring 5 3,

pin 35, arm 34, v`movable coil 25, andback toV the battery33. The immediate effect of this will be to vitalize the iXed coil and movable coilwithopposite magnetism and vdraw the movablecoil aud'arms 15 back within the fixed coil. .VVhenthe coil 25, carrying the cross-arm 14, has returned within the fixed coil about three-quarters of the distance, ther pin 28 on the ar-m 14 will engage the rocking arm 34, swing the top of the arm out of cony This willl tact with the springs 38 and 53. immediatelybreak the circuit; but as the indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 4 the weighted head'12 will carry the arm 14 and the movable coil 25 the remaining distance within the Xed coil and thepin 28 will force the right-hand pinof the' rocking arm 34 be# tweenthe springs 4l 52. When the humidity has fallen a suiiicient distance to bring the arm 4l of thehygrometer to the other extremity of thecontact-point 32, a complete circuit will again be formed, as appears from the drawings. The currentbeing thus reversed, the coreand movable coil will be repelled and forced out of the fixed coil, reversing the op eration completely and returning the rocking arml once more into its original position, (shown in Fig. 3,) and the wick into contact once more with the fixed wick 1) and again allowing the ow'of the' liquid tothe vaporizing-plate.u

fWe claim as our inventionl. In an apparatus for vaporizing liquids, the combination of a` flexible moisture-conductingbody divided at a convenient point into two' separate parts,one end of one of which parts is immersed in a suitable liquid, whereby, when contact is effected between the two parts at the point of division, the liquid is caused toflow from one part to the other,

and means substantially as described, for effecting and breaking contact between the said two parts from time to time as may be necessary. Y Y

Y2.'.In an apparatusY forl vaporizing liquids the combination of a flexible moisture-conducting body, divided at a convenient point, one" end of which is immersed in a suitable liquid, whereby, when contact is effected between the ytwo parts at the point of division,

the liquid is caused to flow therethrough, and` means automatically actuated by a hygrome- Asthe humidity in theair alters the arm 44 of the h'ygrometer" moves toward the extremity of the contact-` point 3l. .At the'moment this point is reached;

ter for effecting and breaking contact between said two parts, substantially as described. I

3. In an apparatus forvaporizing liquids,

a iiexiblewick of suitable moisture-conducting material, divided at a convenient point into two separate parts, one endof'one of whichparts is immersed in a suitable liquid, and the opposite end of the-other part is attached to an evaporatingplate, whereby,

when contact is effected between the .twoy

parts of the wick at thepoint of division,-the liquid is caused .to flow` therethrough, and means substantially as described `for effecting and breaking contactbetween twosaid parts. i

4. In an apparatus for vaporizing liquids,

a flexible wick ofsuitablemoisture-conductmersed in a suit-able liquid, and the other end Y of which is attached to an evaporating-plate, whereby, when contact is effected between the two parts of the wick at the point of division, the liquid is caused to flow therethrough, and devices actuated by an electromagnet substantially as described, for making and breaking contact between said two parts, through the making and breaking of the electriccurrent.

6. In an apparatus for vaporizing liquids the combination of a flexible wick of' suitable Vmoisture-conducting.material, divided at a convenient point, one end of which is immersed in a suitable liquid, and the other end of which isattachedto an evaporation-plate,

whereby, when contact is effected between the two parts of the Wick at the point of division, the liquid is caused to flow therethrough; an electromagnet the core of which actuates devices for making and breaking contact between saidtwo parts, by the making or breaking of its electric circuit, and

'a hygrometer for automatically making or breaking the electric circuit of the electromagnet substantially as described. A

'7.V In an apparatus for vaporizing liquids, the combination of a tank containing a suitable liquid; a flexible wick of suitable mois-A ture-conducting materialdivided at a convenient point into two parts one of Whicliparts is attached at one end to a vaporizing-plate; a rocking shaft over thek tank carrying arms to which the other part of the wick is so at-v tached that one end is immersed in the liquid in the'tank, by therocking of which contact ICO IIO

IZO

between the two ends of the two parts of the wick at the `point of division is made and broken; an electromagnet, the coil of which is arranged to actuate the rockingshaft; counterweights attached to the shaft for restoring the saine to its original position,and devices for maintaining the liquid in the tank at a constant level.

8. In an apparatus for vaporizing liquids, the combination of a tank containing a suitable liquid; a flexible Wick of suitable moisture-conducting material divided at a convenient point into two parts one of which parts is attached at one end to a Vaporizing-plate; a rocking shaft over the tank carrying arms to which the other part of the wick is so attached that one end is immersed in the liquid in the tank, by the rocking of which contact between the two ends of the two parts of the Wick at the point of division is made and broken; an electromagnet, thecoil of which is arranged to actuate the rocking shaft; counterweights attached to the shaft for restoring the same to its original position; devices for maintaining the liquid in the tank at a constant level, and anfhygrometer for automatically making or breaking the electric circuit of the electromagnet and actuating the rocking shaft substantially as described.

9. In an apparatus for vaporizing liquids,

the combination of a tank containing a suitable liquid; a flexible wick of suitable moisture-conducting material divided at a convenient point into two parts one of which parts is attached at one end to a vaporizing-plate and at the other to a sponge-like material; a rocking shaft over the tank carrying arms to which the other part of the Wick is so attached that one end is`immersed in the liquid in the tank, by the rocking of which contact between the free end of one part of the wick and the sponge is made and broken; an electromagnet, the coil of which is arranged to actuate the rocking shaft; counterweights attached to the shaft for restoring the same to its original position; devices for maintaining the liquid in the tank at a constant level, and an hygrometer for automatically making or breaking the electric circuit of the electromagnet and actuating the rocking shaft substantially as described.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our invention we have signed our names, in presence of two witnesses, this 13th day of February, 1901.

WILLIAM GORDON LYLE. JOHN EDWIN STEWART. Witnesses:

EDWIN T. RICE, Jr., WILLARD PARKER BUTLER. 

